Tag Archives: blackberries

Chances are you can find fresh blackberries pretty easily in your local market. But black raspberries (Rubus occidentalis) are a different story. And they are worth seeking out.

All berries are good sources of antioxidants but black raspberries take top prize. According to Oregan State University Department of Food Science and Technology they contain almost three times the antioxidants of blackberries and more than six times the antioxidants of red raspberries.

They are also extremely high in anthocyanins, the antioxidant compounds that give purple foods their rich, unique color. And they are rich in ellagic acid, a powerful anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial compound.

In a minute you’ll see how to tell a black raspberry from a blackberry in your market. But first here are six amazing and proven benefits of black raspberries.

When we think of foods rich in ellagic acid, we typically think of berries such as raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. But are there also other good dietary sources of this powerful phenolic compound that has been shown to exert strong anti-cancer and antioxidant activity in test tube and animal studies? Turns out, also several exotic fruits (such as pomegranate), a few nuts (such as walnuts), and even the Fistulina hepatica mushroom contain high levels of ellagic acid (or ellagitannins which can be hydrolyzed into ellagic acid).

Here’s a list of 10 good, if not the best, sources of ellagic acid Mother Nature has blessed us with:

1. Wild Strawberries

Wild strawberries, also known by their scientific name Fragaria vesca, might well be the best natural source of ellagic acid there is. They have been shown to contain about ten times as much ellagic acid as raspberries, the next food on our list. Also wild strawberry leaf tea as well as cultivated strawberries are good sources, even though they contain much less ellagic acid than wild strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. (more…)

Some of the most potent cancer protection strategies are ultimately the simplest. To maintain the integrity of your DNA you just need to optimize your body’s detoxification system to neutralize many of the chemical threats from our food supply and environment.

How well does your liver work?

Dangerous toxins are lurking in personal care items and cleaning products including, laundry soap, dishwashing detergents, kitchen cleaners and baby products. Pesticides used in and around the house; the water coming into your home; volatile organic compounds from carpet and upholstery – all are among the products that are implicated in causing cellular damage. And, let’s not forget, processed foods we consume.

Environmental toxins are a major cause of cancer – they damage DNA and can activate cancer-causing genes, which would otherwise have remained dormant. You can do your best to avoid these, but it’s impossible to eliminate them completely.